GUINEA BISSAU: UNODC REQUESTS COUNTER-NARCOTICS

C O N F I D E N T I A L DAKAR 000381 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR INL/AAE, AF/W, AF/RSA, AND IO/T ACCRA FOR USAID/WA LAGOS FOR DEA - GAYE AND ALEXANDER PARIS FOR POL - D'ELIA E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/15/2017 TAGS: SNAR AORC PU SUBJECT: GUINEA BISSAU: UNODC REQUESTS COUNTER-NARCOTICS POSITION REF: A. DAKAR 124 ¶B. 06 DAKAR 2801 ¶C. 06 DAKAR 2818 ¶D. 06 DAKAR 2609 Classified By: Ambassador Janice L. Jacobs for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (U) This is an action request. The United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has requested USG assistance in staffing a police attache position for counter-narcotics reporting in Bissau. Post believes outside support on drugs is urgently needed before the GOGB's path to narco-state status is irreversible. END SUMMARY. THE REQUEST -------------- ¶2. (U) Antonio Mazitelli, Regional Representative of the UNODC, requested U.S. assistance in staffing a position in Bissau to uncover information and report on narcotics trafficking. Post has repored the growing problem of narcotics trafficking hrough Guinea-Bissau (see reftels) and its growig prominence as a preferred route due to poor sureillance and enforcement capability and the easycorruptibility of officials. ¶3. (U) UNODC has cordinated this request with Representative of the Secretary General (RSG) Shola Omoregie in Bissau. They expressed concern about the significant lack of information concerning all aspects of trafficking in Bissau including organizations involved, leaders, locations of storage and processing facilities, routes, and corrupted officials. They believe a police attache with experience in counternarcotics issues stationed in Bissau under UN auspices is the first step to providing necessary information. UNODC does not have the budget to staff the position, but the UN office for Guinea-Bissau (UNOGBIS) would supply office space and other support. ¶4. (U) Mazitelli also pointed out that continuing to ignore the problem in Guinea-Bissau could undermine U.S. counternarcotics efforts in South America, the primary source for cocaine moving through West Africa. He said this will also send an important signal not only to traffickers, but also to the Government of Guinea-Bissau that the international community is concerned and taking action. COMMENT -------------- ¶5. (C) Post agrees this could be a useful step toward confronting traffickers and requests the Department consider providing a civilian police officer or making an earmarked contribution to UNODC for an initial duration of six months to one year. Those in the GOGB, police, and military who are committed to fighting drug trafficking need support from outside because drug-related corruption already appears to be entrenched at the highest levels. Those who have displayed a willingness and capability in the past to make drug arrests have been effectively put out of action due to credible death threats. END SUMMARY. JACOBS